Southwest Florida Representative Trey Radel Resigns

Republican representative Trey Radel of Florida resigned from Congress. He pleaded guilty in November for buying cocaine from an undercover policeman.

Radel wrote to Speaker John N. Boehner of Ohio about his “personal struggles.” He wrote, “while I have dealt with those issues on a personal level, it is my belief that professionally I cannot fully and effectively serve as a United States representative to the place I love and call home, Southwest Florida.”

While being arrested, he mentioned he struggled “with the disease of alcoholism.” He took a leave of absence to “focus his attention on rehabilitation and his family.” After returning to the House of Representatives, members from his own party wanted him to step aside. He refused at first and said “no one will take away my passion when it comes to serving southwest Florida.”

In the end, he decided to step down. Paige Kreegel, a former state representative supported his decision. He said, “I know in the last several months have been trying for Trey and his family. But today, he did the right thing for the people he represents and provided all of us a chance to move forward without the distractions of the past. The people of Southwest Florida deserve principled, conservative leadership.”